Distribution:
Tropical and temperate areas worldwide, in marine, brackish and occasionally freshwater habitats.
Habitat:
Usually over soft bottoms, but sometimes associated with coral reefs or rocky substrates, generally in shallow waters but known to 600 m.
Remarks:
The lateral line of Sciaenids extends to the end of the caudal fin. This group has an unusual, sexually dimorphic swim bladder that is very well developed with variously shaped sacs or branching caeca arranged along each side of the organ. It is used in vocalization in conjunction with special vibratory drumming muscles attached at or near the swim bladder to produce croaking, grunting, or drumming sounds. There are two anal-fin spines
Many Drums are valuable food fishes, the largest reaching 200 cm.
There are 10 subfamilies, about 70 genera, and approximately 270 species.
References:
Chao, pp. 1583-1653, in: Carpenter 2002;
Nelson 2006;
Sasaki 1989